Free Grace Women

A Weary Heart

I walked into the grand hall feeling small.  My shoulders were slumped, my head was down, and I avoided the gaze of the people I walked past.  I was a zombie, functioning on very little sleep and riddled with anxiety.  My husband and I had brought our daughters to the annual city festival and I was not feeling festive.  I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and questioning my abilities as a mother.

My husband, who doesn’t know a stranger, forced me to stop and talk to several people that day.  I managed to smile and did my best to concentrate on the conversations.  Secretly, I counted the moments until we could head home.  

But one conversation changed my entire day.  One woman we met took the time to acknowledge me and praise me for being an attentive and loving mother. She applauded my decision to homeschool and encouraged me to continue.  Her short celebration of my choices and hard work led me to happy tears and made me feel like an entirely new person.  I felt the heaviness lift from my dragging body.  I went into the coming days and weeks with renewed confidence and joy.  A few kind words from a stranger had strengthened my weary heart.  

Comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.  1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV

A Strengthened Heart

Hopefully, we can all recall a time when an encouraging word brightened our day.  Encouragement from a friend, or even a stranger, can change our outlook and give us strength to keep running the race.  It can lift us from despair to joy, move us from sin into victory, and point our downcast eyes up to the hope of the coming Kingdom.  

We see clear commands in the Word to use wholesome words and to encourage each other.  The author of Hebrews calls us to remind one another daily of the promises of God and His ability to deliver us from sin and our enemies.  

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13 NKJV

The apostles consistently encouraged their readers.  Second Peter was written with the desire that the churches would be reminded daily of the coming Kingdom of Jesus.  Paul repeatedly reminded the churches to continue running the race and to throw off anything that would hinder them.  

The Great Encourager

Jesus gave beautiful examples of kindness and encouragement in His ministry on earth.  One of my favorite examples of this is in the book of John.  Jesus is aware of how Peter will fail, but He speaks precious Words to strengthen him. 

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”  Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”  Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now?  I will lay down my life for Your sake.”  Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  John 13:36-4:4 NKJV

Build Each Other Up

Each of us should consider how we can be a better encouragement to others.  And if we are not often the recipients of an encouraging word, we should learn to speak truth to our hearts.  In times of trouble and loneliness, David gave himself pep talks to lift his spirits.  In Psalm 43:5 he says, 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. (NKJV)

When he was afraid, he wrote,

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God (I will praise His Word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.  What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

Practice uplifting others and remember that God wants us to be uplifted and strengthened with His truth!

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